Attitudes towards Medication Intake in Patients with Mental Illness are influenced by Their Own and Relatives’ Beliefs about Medication

Aim: In patients with psychiatric illness, beliefs and attitudes towards psychotropic medications influence their treatment adherence, in turn on treatment outcomes. Purpose: We examined the components of a relative’s beliefs about medication influencing the components of the patient’s beliefs about medication that in turn influences drug taking attitudes. Subjects and Methods: Patients and their relatives attending Psychiatry department who consented were both administered BMQ (Beliefs about Medication questionnaire). For patients, Drug attitude Inventory (DAI) was administered. Medication adherence was ascertained. Pearson’s correlation on the Patient’s BMQ sub-scales, relatives BMQ sub-scales and DAI was done. Multiple linear Regression analysis with Relatives and Patient BMQ sub scale on DAI was done. A mediation analysis to assess strengths of Direct and Indirect effects on the dependent variable as DAI was done. Results: 79 subjects participated in the study. Mediation analysis showed that DAI is directly negatively influenced by the Patient’s BMQ specific concern, coefficient (- 0.99), 95 % CI (-1.44, -0.55) and positively by patient’s BMQ specific necessity coefficient (0.55), 95 % CI (0.22, 0.88). Total indirect effect of Pt. Specific concerns through pt. specific necessity on DAI was coefficient (0.24), 95 % CI (0.05, 0.53). Patient specific concerns are in turn influenced by relatives specific concern, coefficient (0.43), 95 % CI (0.202, 0.507) and relative’s specific necessity, coefficient (0.295, 05 % CI [0.117, 0.387). Conclusion: Patient’s with high concerns about medication have more negative attitude towards medication intake which are in turn influenced by relative’s concerns and need for medication intake. Identification of such targets could help in counseling about medication use.